title: Human intestinal potential difference: recording method and biophysical implications.
abstract: 1. The transmural electrical potential difference (PD) of the intact human small intestine was recorded with close attention to electrical symmetry, shielding from electro-magnetic waves and correction for junction potentials. 2. The PD is -12 mV (mucosa-negative) in the fasting jejunum and ileum and does not change during perfusion with isotonic NaCl. 3. Absorption of Na and Cl appears to be non-electrogenic and the 'resting' PD is probably generated by active anion secretion of fasting intestinal contents. 4. Diffusion potentials during isotonic D-mannitol perfusion indicated higher cation selectivity in the ileum than in the jejunum. 5. The calculated contribution of a free-solution path to total paracellular permeability is 55% in the jejunum but only 15% in the ileum. 6. No 'streaming' potential was detected during osmotic water flow, suggesting that the cation-selectivity of the channels is temporarily inactivated during dilatation of the lateral intercellular space.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D006982:Hypertonic Solutions; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000502:physiology; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000502:physiology*; D007552:Isotonic Solutions; D007700:Kinetics; D008353:Mannitol / Q000378:metabolism; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D008875:Middle Aged; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D010477:Perfusion
chemical_list: D006982:Hypertonic Solutions; D007552:Isotonic Solutions; D008353:Mannitol